.jpg)
You can score five but VAR will still take the headlines
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.03.21. | 11:57
Man City dominantly triumphant but VAR steals focus and frustrates Guardiola
With Algerian magician Riyad Mahrez scoring twice, the team's architect De Bruyne also scoring a double and Gundogan continuing his great resurrection to make it 5-2 for the Citizens against Southampton, you would think we would talk only about the dominant win of the table toppers. Think twice, because - VAR and the referees of the Premier League!
Pep Guardiola demanded the Premier League offer clear explanations on the use of VAR after another catastrophe on Wednesday night.
Manchester City were denied a penalty on review after Phil Foden had been felled by Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. VAR failed to definitively determine that McCarthy had not touched the ball when the incident was replayed. Guardiola was left seething at the decision, made with the score still at 1-1, and suggested top-flight managers want answers.
???? ???????????????????????????????? points clear
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) March 11, 2021
???? Do ???????????? doubt @DeBruyneKev
???????? A Riyad @Mahrez22 ????????????????????????????????????????????
✨ @PhilFoden providing ???????????????? ????????????????????...
???? Another step ???????????????????????????? for @aguerosergiokun
???? ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????.pic.twitter.com/SJkgrq5RW1
'Oh my God,' Guardiola said. 'The VAR, oh my God. The penalty is incredible. The action, I don't understand. 'Maybe they [the league] will explain one day. Hopefully, they can explain what is going on.
'The referees are professionals. They have to do their jobs. I don't see how Arsenal, the handball, against Burnley, is disallowed. Fulham in the Tottenham game. Explain it. Incredible. 'I want football to be more clear. The right decisions. Tonight, the referee Jon [Moss] cannot see the foul, that can happen, but the VAR? You have to ask the right people why.'
'What made me so proud was the honesty from Phil,' Guardiola added. 'If we had lost 5-2 then I would make no comment. But we won, so I make it, otherwise, it looks like an excuse.'
Leicester City and England midfielder James Maddison tweeted that Foden had been penalised for attempting to stay on his feet and score.
Precisely. Being honest and getting straight back up to try and score like Phil did is punished... because if he stayed down after initial contact and rolled around and screamed, I’m almost certain he would have been awarded penalty. So where’s the incentive to stay on your feet? https://t.co/ta17WsQAJB
— James Maddison (@Madders10) March 10, 2021
Even though winning comfortably, the Man City manager again criticised his players for gifting two goals away.
'We have to improve,' he said. 'The first goal we conceded we gave to them. Hopefully, we can learn it for the knockout games. If we don't, we will be out.'
